The Untainted
Chapter 22 – Echoes of the Past
(Rihannat's Hostel Room)
"What did you just say?"
Rayyan's eyes widened dramatically.
"Your drink was spiked… with an aphrodisiac? Love potion?!"
She clutched her chest.
"Oh my God. Ya Allah! Tell me you didn't drink it. Tell me right now!"
Rihannat burst into laughter.
"Will you calm down and let me finish, our little mummy?"
Rayyan glared playfully. "Okay. I'm listening. But if you faint midway, I'm reviving you with holy water."
Folakemi giggled.
Rihannat adjusted her scarf and continued.
"Yes, the drink was drugged. But Alhamdulillah, I didn't drink it. The girl confessed to Folakemi before I took a sip. She stopped me on time."
Rayyan let out a long breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
Rihannat narrated everything in detail — how the truth was uncovered, how Folakemi confronted her so-called friends, how the situation escalated, and how the families intervened.
"They were arrested that same night," she concluded quietly. "I'm sure they're still in police custody."
"Wow…" Rayyan sat down slowly. "Alhamdulillah. I don't even know what to say. Those idiots really planned that? Campus bad girls…" She paused and looked at Folakemi. "Sorry. I'm just saying the truth."
"It's okay," Folakemi replied calmly. "You're not wrong."
Rayyan nodded.
"Just stay away from them. All of us. Because when they get released, we don't know what next they'll try. And we all know this school won't rusticate them. They're from wealthy families."
Her tone hardened.
"But Allah is with us. And none of us is alone. If they try rubbish again…" She glanced at Balkis pointedly. "They will see pepper. I don't care how rich they are."
Folakemi smiled faintly at her protectiveness.
Inside, she felt something shift.
Is this what true friendship looks like?
Not the loud party type.
Not the gossip-and-clubbing type.
But the stand-with-you-in-danger type.
She felt humbled.
"I'm grateful to be among you," she thought.
Then she cleared her throat.
"Let me explain something from my own side," she began, her voice steady.
"They won't be released easily. Their parents will have to come and plead. And they'll need your forgiveness before anything softens. If they get a light punishment, they will definitely come to you."
She leaned back slightly.
"And don't worry. They won't cross boundaries openly. Not while I'm here."
There was something different about her tone now — calm but firm.
"And Rihannat has my parents' full support. So be rest assured."
Then she smiled sheepishly.
"Although… I feel jealous of your friendship sometimes. I hope you'll accept me wholeheartedly as one of you."
Rayyan softened instantly.
"Come here," she said, pulling Folakemi into a side hug. "You're already in."
Folakemi continued, a small smirk forming — the exact same one Oladeji wore when he spoke with quiet authority.
"To openly go against you now would mean defying my family. They won't dare. And the influential people at that party? I'm sure they've warned their children already. Unless someone wants to face consequences alone."
Rihannat chuckled.
"You and your brothers are exactly the same."
"Of course!" Folakemi replied proudly. "Cuts from the same cloth. Replicas of each other—"
"Then why were you different before?" Rihannat interrupted teasingly.
"Ah! No, no, not again!" Folakemi covered her face dramatically. "I was stupid before. I'm a changed person now."
Laughter erupted.
The tension dissolved.
They leaned back, carefree for the first time since the revelation.
Despite everything, they felt safe.
Because they believed.
"Indeed, We have given you a clear victory." (Suratul Fath 48:1)
"And whoever puts his trust in Allah — then He is sufficient for them." (At-Talaq 65:3)
Rayyan smiled.
"Allah really exposed them before anything happened."
Rihannat nodded.
"He always protects those who rely on Him."
A comfortable silence settled.
Then Rihannat turned to Folakemi.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, please."
"When we first arrived at your house… your parents kept saying I resemble someone. Who were they talking about?"
Folakemi's expression changed subtly.
She hesitated.
"It's… a long story. But let me shorten it."
She leaned forward.
"They were talking about very special friends of theirs. We are like family friends with them. Honestly, Rihannat… you resemble 'Second Mummy' about ninety percent."
Rihannat blinked.
"Ninety?"
"And 'Second Daddy' maybe fifty percent."
The room grew quiet.
"They live abroad now," Folakemi continued. "After a terrible incident that happened to them years ago, they relocated. Their two elder sons stayed behind to manage the business here. They travel monthly to see their parents, and the parents visit every three months."
"What happened to them?" Rihannat asked softly.
Folakemi shook her head gently.
"I can't go into details. It's not my story to tell."
She smiled.
"They're coming in two months. You might meet them then. And when you do… you'll understand why my mum reacted the way she did."
Rihannat leaned back slowly.
Two months.
Why did that feel important?
She couldn't explain it.
It wasn't curiosity alone.
It felt deeper.
Like something pulling at her spirit.
Like a missing page in a book she hadn't yet read.
Why would she resemble both parents so strongly?
Why did Folakemi's mother look at her with tears in her eyes that first day?
Why did it feel… personal?
She pressed her lips together.
"I don't even know why I care so much," she admitted quietly.
Folakemi studied her.
"Maybe it's just coincidence."
Maybe.
But Rihannat wasn't fully convinced.
Sometimes resemblance isn't ordinary.
Sometimes instincts aren't random.
And sometimes…
The past has a way of knocking gently before it reveals itself.
Rayyan broke the silence.
"Hmm. This is sounding like a family mystery film."
They all laughed.
But beneath the laughter…
Something lingered.
A question.
Unanswered.
Two months.
What exactly happened to that mysterious couple?
And why does Rihannat look like their reflection?
Do you think this resemblance is just coincidence?
Or is destiny quietly unfolding something bigger?
Something feels… unusual. 🤔
What are your thoughts?